Best online clinics for Strattera

Last Updated: January 2026

The landscape of online mental health care has transformed dramatically over the past few years. What began as a convenient pandemic solution has evolved into a complex ecosystem of telehealth platforms—each with distinct approaches, capabilities, and limitations. For the millions of Americans seeking accessible mental health treatment in 2025, understanding these differences has never been more important.

If you’re considering online therapy, psychiatric medication management, or treatment for conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, or insomnia, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate your options with confidence.

The Current State of Mental Health Telehealth

The mental health telehealth industry has matured considerably since its explosive growth in 2020-2021. While early adopters promised quick access to prescriptions and therapy from the comfort of home, regulatory scrutiny and quality concerns have reshaped the market. Some providers have shut down entirely, others have dramatically altered their prescribing practices, and new players continue to emerge with specialized approaches.

Today’s leading telehealth platforms fall into several categories:

• Full-service psychiatric care (like Talkiatry) offering comprehensive mental health treatment through insurance networks
• Subscription-based mental health platforms (like Brightside and Cerebral) providing ongoing medication management and therapy
• General telehealth services (like Teladoc, MDLive, and Amwell) covering urgent care alongside basic mental health needs
• Specialized wellness platforms (like Hims & Hers) focusing on specific conditions including anxiety, depression, and lifestyle concerns

Understanding which type of service aligns with your needs—and what each can and cannot prescribe—is crucial to finding effective care.

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What You Need to Know About Medication Prescribing

One of the most significant changes in telehealth has been the tightening of controlled substance prescribing policies. Here’s what most platforms can and cannot prescribe as of 2025:

ADHD Medications (Schedule II Stimulants)

The prescribing of Adderall, Ritalin, and similar stimulant medications has become highly restricted in online settings. After widespread concerns about overprescribing and inadequate evaluations, most direct-to-consumer platforms have ceased offering these medications entirely.

Cerebral, once a major provider of ADHD treatment, stopped all new stimulant prescriptions in May 2022 following regulatory scrutiny. The company faced allegations of pressuring clinicians to prescribe controlled substances and has since paid $3.6 million in settlements while refocusing on non-controlled medication approaches.

Done, a platform that specialized almost exclusively in ADHD treatment and stimulant prescriptions, faced even more severe consequences. In June 2024, federal prosecutors indicted the company’s top executives for allegedly operating an illegal online prescription scheme, marking the first criminal case of its kind against a telehealth company. The platform has effectively ceased operations.

Ahead, another ADHD-focused service, shut down entirely in 2022 due to operational and financial challenges.

Among the platforms still operating, only Talkiatry—which works within insurance networks and employs board-certified psychiatrists—continues to prescribe ADHD stimulants when medically appropriate and after thorough evaluation. General telehealth services like Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell, and PlushCare explicitly prohibit stimulant prescriptions in their policies.

Anti-Anxiety Medications (Benzodiazepines)

Benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam) are similarly restricted across most telehealth platforms. The risk of dependence and misuse has led nearly all providers to avoid these medications entirely.

Brightside explicitly states it does not prescribe benzodiazepines, instead focusing on SSRIs and other non-controlled anxiety treatments. Cerebral similarly prohibits benzos, taking what the company calls a ‘conservative approach’ to anxiety management. PlushCare and Teladoc both list benzodiazepines among controlled substances they will not prescribe via telehealth.

Only specialized psychiatric services that can provide ongoing monitoring—primarily Talkiatry or traditional in-person psychiatry—may prescribe benzodiazepines when clinically warranted.

Sleep Medications

Schedule IV sleep aids like Ambien (zolpidem), Lunesta (eszopiclone), and similar ‘Z-drugs’ are widely prohibited on telehealth platforms. Brightside, Teladoc, Amwell, and Cerebral all exclude these medications from their formularies. Patients with insomnia are typically offered alternatives like trazodone, certain antidepressants, or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

A Different Approach: Non-Controlled Alternatives

For patients seeking help with anxiety, depression, or insomnia, most telehealth platforms focus on evidence-based treatments that don’t carry addiction risk:

• SSRIs and SNRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Effexor) for anxiety and depression
• Buspirone for anxiety (non-controlled alternative to benzos)
• Hydroxyzine for acute anxiety
• Trazodone or mirtazapine for sleep
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin) for depression and smoking cessation
• Non-stimulant ADHD medications like Strattera or Qelbree (where ADHD treatment is offered)

While these medications may take longer to work than controlled substances, they provide effective treatment without the risks of dependence or the regulatory complications that have plagued platforms prescribing controlled drugs.

Comparing Major Telehealth Providers: A Detailed Look

Cerebral – Refocused After Controversy

Status: Limited operations (restructured 2022-2024)
Conditions treated: Depression, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder, PTSD (no longer treating new ADHD patients with stimulants)
Geographic reach: All 50 states
Pricing: $99/month (medication management); $365/month (therapy + medication)
Insurance: Limited acceptance

Cerebral represents a cautionary tale in telehealth’s evolution. After rapid growth during the pandemic, the platform faced intense scrutiny for aggressive prescribing practices and internal pressure on clinicians to write prescriptions for controlled substances. Following settlements with federal authorities and multiple states, Cerebral has dramatically changed its approach.

The platform now focuses exclusively on non-controlled medications and has implemented stricter oversight of prescribing practices. While it still treats thousands of patients for depression and anxiety, it no longer accepts new ADHD patients seeking stimulant medications. Existing patients were grandfathered through 2023 but have since needed to transition to other providers or accept non-stimulant alternatives.

Best for: Patients seeking affordable ongoing medication management for depression or anxiety who prefer non-controlled medications
Not ideal for: ADHD treatment, benzodiazepine management, or patients wanting flexible pay-per-visit pricing

Brightside – The Non-Controlled Specialist

Status: Active and growing
Conditions treated: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, insomnia (explicitly does NOT diagnose or treat ADHD)
Geographic reach: All 50 states
Pricing: $95/month (medication plan); $349/month (therapy + medication)
Insurance: Accepted nationwide with many major plans

Brightside has carved out a niche by focusing exclusively on depression and anxiety treatment using non-controlled medications. The platform’s medical philosophy emphasizes evidence-based antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications that don’t carry addiction risk.

This approach has both advantages and limitations. Patients appreciate Brightside’s comprehensive intake process and the platform’s willingness to adjust medications based on response. However, those seeking treatment for ADHD, those who need benzodiazepines for severe panic disorder, or those with complex psychiatric needs may find Brightside’s scope too limited.

Best for: First-time mental health medication users with depression or anxiety; those wanting to avoid controlled substances
Not ideal for: ADHD, severe anxiety requiring immediate-acting medications, or complex psychiatric conditions

Talkiatry – The Insurance-Based Gold Standard

Status: Active and expanding
Conditions treated: Comprehensive psychiatry including ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
Geographic reach: 43 states (recently expanded to adolescent psychiatry in 31 states)
Pricing: $25-$400 per visit depending on insurance; typically $30 copay for insured patients
Insurance: In-network with most major insurance plans

Talkiatry operates differently from subscription-based platforms. It functions more like traditional psychiatry adapted for telehealth, employing board-certified psychiatrists who can diagnose and treat the full spectrum of mental health conditions—including prescribing controlled substances when appropriate.

The platform’s psychiatric providers can prescribe ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, and other controlled medications following proper evaluation and ongoing monitoring. This comprehensive approach makes Talkiatry suitable for patients with complex needs or those who haven’t found success with more limited platforms.

However, working within insurance networks means Talkiatry faces the same challenges as traditional psychiatry: wait times for initial appointments (often 1-3 weeks), scheduling constraints, and the bureaucracy of insurance authorization. Costs without insurance can be substantial—initial evaluations around $250-300, follow-ups $150-200.

Best for: Patients with insurance coverage seeking comprehensive psychiatric care; those needing controlled medications; complex cases
Not ideal for: Urgent needs, self-pay patients seeking lower costs, those wanting maximum scheduling flexibility

PlushCare – Primary Care with Mental Health Add-On

Status: Active
Conditions treated: Primary care, mild to moderate anxiety and depression, general medical needs
Geographic reach: All 50 states
Pricing: $19.99/month membership + $129 per visit
Insurance: Accepted with most major plans

PlushCare operates as a primary care telehealth service that includes mental health treatment among its offerings. This can be convenient for patients seeking an all-in-one platform for both physical and mental health needs.

However, PlushCare’s mental health capabilities are limited. The platform’s policy explicitly excludes all controlled substances—including ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, and sleep medications. PlushCare physicians can prescribe common antidepressants and may help with straightforward anxiety or depression, but the service isn’t designed for specialized psychiatric care.

Interestingly, PlushCare does prescribe GLP-1 medications (like Wegovy) for weight management and metabolic health, positioning itself in the growing intersection of primary care and wellness.

Best for: Patients wanting one platform for primary care and simple mental health needs; weight management alongside mental health
Not ideal for: ADHD, anxiety requiring benzodiazepines, specialized psychiatric care

MDLive, Teladoc, and Amwell – The General Telehealth Giants

Status: All active
Conditions treated: Urgent care, primary care, basic mental health (anxiety, depression)
Geographic reach: All 50 states
Pricing: $0-$95 per visit depending on insurance
Insurance: Widely accepted; often included free with employer health plans

These established telehealth platforms offer broad medical services with mental health as one component. All three explicitly prohibit controlled substance prescriptions—no ADHD stimulants, no benzodiazepines, no sleep medications.

These services excel at convenience and cost for insured patients. Many employers offer Teladoc or MDLive coverage at no cost, making them excellent for urgent medical needs or mild mental health concerns. However, they’re not equipped for specialized psychiatric care.

Teladoc is the largest, with extensive provider networks and 24/7 availability. MDLive offers similar services with competitive pricing. Amwell has invested in building out specialty care including dermatology and lactation consulting.

Best for: Insured patients with employer-sponsored coverage; urgent medical needs; mild depression or anxiety alongside general health concerns
Not ideal for: ADHD, specialized psychiatric conditions, patients needing controlled medications

Hims & Hers – The Lifestyle Wellness Platform

Status: Active and growing
Conditions treated: Anxiety, depression, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, skin conditions, weight loss
Geographic reach: All 50 states (plus limited international)
Pricing: $85/month for mental health medication plan; $99 per therapy session
Insurance: Cash pay only (HSA/FSA eligible)

Hims & Hers has built a different model entirely—focusing on lifestyle wellness and conditions people may feel embarrassed discussing. The platform’s mental health offering treats anxiety and depression with non-controlled medications delivered to your door.

What sets Hims & Hers apart is the integration of mental health with other wellness services. The same platform that prescribes finasteride for hair loss or sildenafil for ED also offers psychiatric medication management. In 2023, the company expanded aggressively into GLP-1 weight loss medications, becoming a major player in the online weight management space.

The platform doesn’t accept insurance, operating entirely on cash-pay pricing. While this means no dealing with insurance bureaucracy, costs can add up—especially if combining multiple services.

Best for: Young adults seeking discrete, comprehensive wellness care; those comfortable with cash pay; patients wanting to combine mental health treatment with other wellness services
Not ideal for: Those needing insurance coverage, controlled medications, or specialized psychiatric care

What About ADHD Treatment in 2025?

The ADHD telehealth landscape has undergone dramatic changes. After the shutdowns of Done and Ahead, and Cerebral’s exit from stimulant prescribing, patients face limited options for remote ADHD care.

Talkiatry remains the primary telehealth option for adults seeking stimulant medication management through insurance. However, even Talkiatry requires comprehensive initial evaluations, documentation review, and ongoing monitoring—making the process more rigorous than the ’15-minute diagnosis’ approach of defunct services.

Many patients have returned to traditional in-person psychiatry or found hybrid solutions—using telehealth for follow-ups while establishing care in person. Some have successfully transitioned to non-stimulant ADHD medications like Strattera (atomoxetine), Qelbree (viloxazine), or Wellbutrin (bupropion), which don’t carry the same prescribing restrictions.

For those frustrated by limited access, platforms like Klarity Health offer a middle ground. Klarity provides specialized ADHD evaluation and treatment with transparent pricing and the ability to prescribe stimulants when clinically appropriate—combining the convenience of telehealth with the thoroughness of quality psychiatric care. With rapid appointment availability (often within days rather than weeks) and straightforward pricing for both cash-pay and insurance patients, Klarity addresses many pain points patients experienced with both the ‘wild west’ approach of Done and the insurance complexity of Talkiatry.

Understanding Pricing Models: What Actually Costs Less?

Telehealth pricing can be deceptively complex. Here’s how different models compare for a typical patient needing 12 months of anxiety or depression treatment:

Subscription Models (Brightside, Cerebral)

• Monthly cost: $95-$349
• Annual cost: $1,140-$4,188
• Includes: Unlimited messaging, monthly check-ins, medication adjustments
• Doesn’t include: Prescription costs (separate)
• Best for: Patients wanting predictable costs and frequent provider contact

Insurance-Based (Talkiatry, traditional telehealth)

• Per-visit cost: $25-50 copay (insured) or $150-300 (uninsured)
• Annual cost: $300-600 (insured, quarterly visits) or $600-1,200+ (uninsured)
• Includes: Provider visits, prescription authority
• Doesn’t include: Prescription costs
• Best for: Patients with good insurance coverage

Pay-Per-Visit (Klarity Health, some others)

• Initial evaluation: $149-199
• Follow-ups: $59-99
• Medication refills: $25-49
• Annual cost: ~$400-700 (assuming quarterly visits)
• Best for: Patients wanting flexibility, no monthly commitments, transparent pricing

For stable patients needing quarterly check-ins, pay-per-visit models often cost less annually than subscriptions. However, patients needing frequent support or therapy sessions may benefit from subscription or insurance-based unlimited access.

What to Look for in a Quality Telehealth Provider

After industry upheaval and regulatory changes, certain qualities distinguish responsible telehealth platforms:

1. Thorough Initial Evaluations

Quality providers conduct comprehensive assessments—typically 30-45 minutes for initial psychiatric evaluations. Be wary of platforms promising diagnoses in under 15 minutes.

2. Transparent Prescribing Policies

Reputable services clearly state what they will and won’t prescribe. Vague policies or promises of ‘whatever you need’ are red flags.

3. Licensed, Board-Certified Providers

Verify that clinicians are licensed in your state and appropriately credentialed (psychiatrists for complex cases, psychiatric nurse practitioners for medication management).

4. Continuity of Care

Seeing the same provider over time improves outcomes. Platforms that randomly assign different clinicians for each visit provide lower-quality care.

5. Clear Pricing and Cancellation Policies

Understanding costs upfront and being able to pause or cancel service easily indicates a patient-centered approach.

6. Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches

Quality platforms emphasize therapy, lifestyle interventions, and appropriate medications—not just quick prescriptions.

Platforms like Klarity Health prioritize these quality markers, offering continuity with the same provider, comprehensive evaluations, and clear communication about what treatments are available and appropriate for each patient’s situation. With both cash-pay transparency and insurance acceptance, Klarity provides flexibility that subscription models and insurance-only services lack.

The Future of Mental Health Telehealth

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, several trends are shaping the industry:

Hybrid Care Models

The future likely involves blending telehealth convenience with occasional in-person care. Some platforms are establishing partnerships with local clinics for initial evaluations or periodic check-ins.

Specialized Niches

Rather than trying to treat everything, successful platforms are focusing on specific areas—whether ADHD, depression, anxiety, or integrative wellness. This specialization allows for higher-quality, more tailored care.

Integration with Primary Care

Mental health is increasingly seen as inseparable from physical health. Platforms integrating mental health treatment with metabolic health, sleep medicine, and lifestyle management are gaining traction.

Regulatory Evolution

The DEA’s temporary flexibility for controlled substance prescribing via telehealth expires at the end of 2025. Whatever regulations emerge in 2026 will reshape ADHD treatment access and potentially affect other controlled medications.

Measurement-Based Care

Progressive platforms are implementing standardized symptom tracking and outcomes measurement, allowing for data-driven treatment adjustments and better patient outcomes.

Making Your Decision: Which Platform Is Right for You?

Consider these scenarios:

If you have good insurance coverage and complex psychiatric needs → Talkiatry offers comprehensive care with specialist psychiatrists who can treat the full range of conditions.

If you want simple, affordable treatment for depression or anxiety → Brightside or Cerebral provide structured medication management with non-controlled options.

If you need ADHD treatment including possible stimulant medication → Talkiatry or specialized services like Klarity Health that maintain appropriate prescribing capability while ensuring thorough evaluation.

If you prefer pay-as-you-go without monthly subscriptions → Klarity Health offers transparent per-visit pricing with rapid appointment availability and provider continuity.

If you want to combine mental health with overall wellness → Hims & Hers or PlushCare integrate multiple health concerns on one platform.

If you have employer-sponsored telehealth and need basic care → Teladoc, MDLive, or Amwell provide convenient, low-cost access for straightforward cases.

Questions to Ask Before Signing Up

Before committing to any telehealth platform, ask:

1. What credentials do your prescribing providers have? (MD psychiatrist vs. NP vs. PA makes a difference for complex cases)

2. Will I see the same provider each time, or random clinicians?

3. What is your policy on controlled substances? (Get specifics about what they will and won’t prescribe)

4. How quickly can I get an initial appointment?

5. What happens if I need to cancel or pause service?

6. Do you accept my insurance, or is this cash pay? (And if insurance, are you in-network or out-of-network?)

7. What happens if treatment isn’t working or I need a higher level of care? (Referral pathways matter)

8. Can you prescribe across state lines if I travel? (Important for frequent travelers)

Final Thoughts: The Importance of Quality Care

The mental health telehealth boom brought unprecedented access to treatment, helping millions who might never have sought care otherwise. But the industry’s stumbles—from Done’s collapse to Cerebral’s controversies—highlighted that access without quality creates new problems.

As the industry matures, the platforms that will thrive are those balancing convenience with clinical rigor, accessibility with safety, and innovation with responsibility. Whether you choose an established player, an emerging specialist, or something in between, prioritize providers that treat your mental health with the seriousness it deserves.

Mental health treatment is not about getting a quick prescription—it’s about finding the right approach to help you feel better, function better, and build a healthier life. The best telehealth platform is one that supports that goal with competence, compassion, and commitment to your wellbeing.

Ready to explore your options? Klarity Health offers a balanced approach to online mental health care—combining rapid access (appointments often within 2-3 days), transparent pricing for both insurance and cash-pay patients, and experienced providers who can treat a full range of conditions including ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and insomnia. With the ability to prescribe appropriate medications—including controlled substances when clinically warranted—while maintaining rigorous evaluation standards, Klarity represents a thoughtful evolution in telehealth psychiatry.

Visit Klarity Health to learn more about how we’re helping thousands of patients access quality mental health care on their terms.

Research Currency Statement

Verified as of: January 4, 2026

Active providers confirmed: Cerebral (limited), Brightside, Talkiatry, PlushCare, MDLive, Teladoc, Amwell, Hims & Hers

Inactive/compromised providers: Done (under DOJ prosecution), Ahead (closed 2022)

References

1. Associated Press. ‘Top executives of ADHD telehealth startup Done Global indicted for alleged prescription drug scheme.’ AP News, June 14, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/498cb907623565ee680b33b1367efb84

2. Ducharme, Jamie. ‘Why Online Therapy Startups Like Cerebral, Done, and Ahead Are Falling Short.’ TIME Magazine, November 1, 2022. https://time.com/6225361/telehealth-startups-cerebral-done-ahead/

3. Landi, Heather. ‘Pushing ADHD telehealth prescriptions costs Cerebral millions in federal settlement.’ TechTarget HealthIT, November 6, 2024. https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/news/366615298/Pushing-ADHD-telehealth-prescriptions-costs-Cerebral-millions

4. Associated Press. ‘FDA warns telehealth companies about selling unapproved compounded weight-loss drugs.’ AP News, September 16, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/9c08db3481dcfd67c433fad1ae07d941

5. Brightside Health. ‘What medications do we prescribe?’ Official FAQ, accessed January 2026. https://www.brightside.com/faqs/what-medications-do-we-prescribe/

Source:

• https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/news/366615298/Pushing-ADHD-telehealth-prescriptions-costs-Cerebral-millions#:~:text=Cerebral%20provides%20telehealth%20consultations%20for,from%20tiered%20monthly%20subscription%20plans
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